In Austria, organic farming has played an important role for many years now. Austria’s topography, geography, the structure of its agricultural sector as well as political will have promoted its development early on. But what is the situation like abroad?

Soy bean cultivation has a long tradition in Austria. In 1875, Professor Friedrich HABERLANDT first introduced soy beans in Austria. SAATBAU LINZ has been investing in GMO-free soy bean breeding since 2006.

Climate change has significantly affected cereal farming over the last 50 to 60 years. In the course of this period, the harvesting season for wheat and other cereals has moved forward about 10 to 14 days in Austria, subject to variations of course.

Intercropping not only reduces soil erosion and seepage of nutrients into ground and surface waters, it also improves soil structure, activates nutrients and optimally fosters soil life. Among many other positive effects, this increases the yields of the main crops.

The grasses, legumes and herbs desirable in healthy and fertile grasslands have high requirements regarding soil and nutrient supply. Lime is key here since it maintains soil pH within the optimum range (pH 6,0-7,3) and thereby ensures the availability of the nutrients accumulated in the soil and boosts soil organisms.

Maize has become the greatest and most important crop. Thanks to great advances in breeding, productivity per hectare is phenomenal for maize; regarding competitiveness and value for money it excels over other crops.

Bulgaria occupies parts of the Eastern Balkan peninsula. With a surface of 111,000 km² and a population of approximately 7.1 million inhabitants it is not very densely inhabited. The country is divided by the Balkan mountains.

Catch crops should be sown on all fields where their cultivation is possible and sensible. The decision to plant catch crops should be taken for the benefit of a healthy soil and not because it is subsidised.

The turning of the millennium brought about an important development on the European rape market: The demand for winter rape hybrids rocketed. Every year, however, there are also new registrations of line varieties.